US President Donald Trump on Monday hosted Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, marking a dramatic change from last week’s demand for his immediate resignation. Trump, joined by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, described Tan’s rise as “amazing” and said cabinet members will work with him to develop policy suggestions.
“The meeting was a very interesting one. His success and rise is an amazing story. Mr. Tan and my Cabinet members are going to spend time together, and bring suggestions to me during the next week. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”,” said Trump in a post on Truth Social.
Intel confirmed the meeting, calling it a “candid and constructive” discussion on bolstering US technology and manufacturing leadership. The move comes after Senator Tom Cotton questioned Tan’s ties to China, citing his past at Cadence Design and potential links to Chinese state-affiliated entities.
Trump’s softer tone contrasts sharply with his Thursday Truth Social post labelling Tan “highly CONFLICTED.” Intel responded then by affirming its commitment to U.S. national and economic security.
The Trump administration has taken an assertive role in semiconductor policy as the US and China vie for AI dominance. Over the weekend, Nvidia agreed to give the government 15% of sales to China in exchange for export licenses—down from Trump’s initial 20% demand after CEO Jensen Huang’s negotiations.
Tan, 65, took over in March amid Intel’s AI setbacks and heavy investment in chip foundries. Since then, he’s overseen cost-cutting, site cancellations in Germany and Poland, and a slowdown in Ohio expansion.
“Turning the company around will take time,” Tan told analysts in July, stressing patience as Intel works to regain competitiveness.
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